Good day everyone,
I hope you are all having a good day, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things gaming and literature. Today I will be doing an analysis and review of the third book from The Witcher series, and the first of The Witcher Saga, by Andrzej Sapkowski, entitled Blood of Elves. Within the overall review I will break down the chapters and give an overview of what happens within the story, with a conclusion on the overall book at the end. This has been done in a four part series for this book, so check out for the previous parts also.
Previous Parts to this Book
The Witcher Saga - Blood of Elves - Part I
The Witcher Saga - Blood of Elves - Part II
The Witcher Saga - Blood of Elves - Part III
Chapter 7
Ciri is being hounded by the fellow girls at Melitele's Temple, jealous of the fact Ciri gets to spend time learning to be a witch while they are forced to do chores. Rumours are swirling that another war is inbound, and not with the Socia'tael. The castles are stockpiling goods in case of siege, and the roads are full of marching soldiers. Curious to get the answers to this, Ciri heads to Jarre in his tower. Jarre is the only boy in the Temple, sixteen, and therefore the attraction of the girls, even if Ciri cannot quite understand what she likes about him. He lives in Ellander but often visits Melitele's sanctuary to perform jobs such as transcribing for Mother Nenneke. A skinny ungainly lad, he is unwilling to directly answer Ciri regarding the war, instead advising her to ask Yennifer. He doubts very much a war will take place, being a student of History and 'understanding' how past historical and political events can reoccur to establish new wars, implicating the events at Dol Angra are not one of them. Unimpressed Ciri asks to see a map of the world to which Jarre reluctantly agrees. As Jarre is showing Ciri the maps of the known world, and explaining to her how its impossible for armies to cross the river Yaruga except in two places, its lower reaches in Sodden and middle reaches in Dol Angra, he sheepishly gets too close to Ciri. She firmly and icily resists his advances, similar to how Yennifer would speak. He continues to explain how the four kingdoms, Temeria, Redania, Aedirn, and Kaedwen are united and resisting any attempts of Nilfgaard to push further North. He pressed on in explaining that the events at Dol Angra were merely a fight, potentially with smugglers, as any attempt from either army on the other would be enough reason to restart the war. Yennifer calls Ciri telepathically, and she must leave at once, as herself and Yennifer are going away on some very important matters.
Ciri arrived at Yennifer's chamber, and immediately is told to bathe and scrub herself. Ciri obliges and scrubs herself clean, as Yennifer explains to the girl how she has grown into a woman now, and in other circumstances would already be married at this stage. The witch goes on to tell Ciri not to toy with Jarre, and most importantly not to let him discover who she really is. Yennifer has received a lot of letters recently, and Ciri believes they indicate where the two will leave go. Ciri asks about the war, and while Yennifer confirms there are such mumblings going about, she does not confirm it to Ciri, instead explains how her personal opinion would be to avoid war. Yeniffer goes on to promise Ciri how she will never leave the girl, although brings up their very first meeting when Ciri clearly did not like the witch.
Ciri had been instructed to go see Mother Nenneke in the refectory as someone had arrived. Nenneke appeared gracious and humble with Yennifer, but at the same time is cold and frosty towards her when required. Yennifer had examined Ciri and was in no doubt that the girl had magical powers, bestowed upon her from her ancestors elven blood. Nenneke explained to Ciri how she would go with Yennifer and learn from her, learn things that Nenneke could not teach her. Ciri was not happy or impressed, and immediately thought of running away. Yennifer simultaneously thought about how she would have to break down the Witcher-girl elements of Ciri to fine tune her into a witch, and that is when Nenneke reminded Yennifer that Ciri was not an admiration of Geralt's heart in the same way Yennifer was. The rumours were not true. Nenneke and Yennifer delicately ended their conversation about Geralt, and the witch gave Ciri a warm smile when declaring she will care for the girl as best she can. 'She really is beautiful' thought Ciri, but she is hesitant to submit herself to Yennifers tests. Ciri is still a petulant teenager, and she wants to a choice in the matter, seeing as nobody asked her for her opinion. Ciri is still determined to be a Witcher, so Yennifer toys with her, and eventually gets through to her that Ciri doesn't really have a choice in the matter if she wishes for her nightmares to cease. Yennifer makes Ciri promise her sincerity and obedience in return for the training which Yennifer will provide, and to return her own sincerity in kind. Ciri is still unsure but agrees, and without thinking asks Yennifer about her relationship with Geralt. Knowing from this alone that Ciri is a clever lass, Yennifer explains how there is longing, regret, hope, and fear between them.
Yennifer tests Ciri in a multitude of ways, through mental exercise. Pattern recognition, solving puzzles, and general theory along with training Ciri in how to breathe. Yennifer is certain of Ciri's capability of magic, although the girl is not so sure. She is worried because she is a virgin she cannot yield magic, which Yennifer quickly laughs off. Ciri takes notice of the star around Yennifer's neck, which confirms to the enchantress that Ciri has the magical source within her. Yennifer explains how magic is seen as chaos by some and art by others. It is a power only granted to a select few, and will bring out joy and envy in others. Others see it as a science, one of learning, development and experimentation. Therefore, according to Yennifer, 'Magic is a curse, a blessing, and progress.' The are in a field of heather with a monolith, and Yennifer instructs Ciri to touch the stone. Immediately Ciri feels the flash and lighting of its power, the chaos, the fear, the nightmare of the black knight, take over her. She sees Geralt and Yennifer die, and when Yennifer brings her from that dark moment, she explains to Ciri how she will teach Ciri the power to banish these nightmares, once and for all. As time passes Yennifer teaches Ciri how to move her hands in such as agile way as to cast spells, and demands Ciri does not wear anything that is metal, crystal, or stone. Their bonds is growing and Ciri asks Yennifer about when would she know if its the right time to go to bed with a man. Yennifer gives her some solid advice, and then instructs Ciri to start spending her nights in Yennifer's chambers as to get proper rest instead of gabbling with the other girls in their dormitory.
The pair spend night and day together, and their bond grows ever closer. As Ciri is progressing through her lessons, Yennifer starts to take things easier on her, giving the girl more free time and being less harsh towards the princess. As their bond grows Yennifer asks Ciri more personal questions, about her childhood in Cintra, her parents, about how she escaped from Cintra when Nilfgaard attacked. As much as Ciri tried, she could not remember it all, and some she did not wish to remember. It was the past. Long ago, a forgotten time to Ciri now. The ladies had one thing in common which seemed to forge an understand and link between them, they both enjoyed laughing at Geralt. Yennifer helped Ciri think back of her parents death, when Calante came to Skellige to take the princess back to Cintra. Earl Crach of Skellige vowed an oath to repay the Queen and the princess for their loss, thanks to Geas Muire, the curse of the sea. Yennifer stop questioning Ciri after learning that the girls dreams only began after she had met Geralt, and the pair continue their search for an intersection, a source of power. Ciri discovers a source and along with Yennifer, she begins to draw power from it. The power is too much and it hurts Ciri, and in this moment we see how much of an impact the child has had upon the witch. She looks after her and whispers to Ciri 'calmly, little one, just don't faint. I am beside you. I am beside you...daughter.'
While Yennifer distances herself initially from Ciri after that, a simple hug from Ciri brings the two closer than ever. They continue their lessons, and Ciri is progressing well. She learns how to control her force, her magic, and in time finds that magic can be calming and soothing. The pair talk about topics of interest to Ciri, including Kaer Morhen, and once Ciri gets the nerve, Triss Merigold. Yennifer explains how the Witchers simplified a spell to create their signs, such as Aard. She teaches Ciri much more powerful ones, but with the caveat that exerting too much force can drain and even kill her. Ciri overdoes it when she unleashes her power on a wicker basket, but its to the amusement of Yennifer. The pair have grown so close that Ciri feels capable of asking Yennifer anything, and Yennifer is just as happy, at times anyway, to answer. They are as close as mother and daughter. It was a long journey from their first meeting when Ciri did not like Yennifer, and how both have grown.
They depart the following morning, and Nenneke seems them off. The ladies are clad in mens clothing and will travel out from Melitele's Temple. There is a darkness in the air, a gloom hanging above. Nenneke feels the prophecy from Ithlinne could be true, The time of the Sword and Axe is approaching. The Time of Contempt and the Wolf's Blizzard. They bid farewell, unknown to Ciri that she will never venture into Melitele's Temple again.
Final thoughts
The first book in the Witcher Saga brings us into the heart of Ciri's torment from the Nilfgaardian invasion. She and Geralt are on a path together, bound by destiny, and along with the help of the other Witcher's and the enchantress Triss, Ciri is given the training to defend herself and battle enemies like a Witcher does. After spending months in the refines of Kaer Morhen, Ciri is brought to Nenneke for education and the chance to socialise with other girls her age. Geralt continues on his adventures, encountering monsters and finding contracts for pay, all the while knowing Ciri is longing to see him once more. His overall aim is to discover who is searching for Ciri, and what their motives in the matter are. The Nilfgaards, the royal leaders, the council of wizards, almost everyone is determined to seek out the lost child of Cintra for one reason or another, mainly to secure the throne of Cintra. Geralt is destined to her and will allow no harm to befall her, which is why he entrusted Ciri into Yennifers care. He will kill anyone who stands in their way and wants to lay harm onto Ciri. The initial relationship between Yennifer and Ciri is difficult, as the girl takes time to accept she will learn to be a witch. As time passes their bond grows stronger, and Yennifer and Ciri become much closer. The story ends as the two set out on their adventure, unaware of the perils and widespread dangers waiting for Ciri as the entire world searches for the Princess of Cintra.
The adventure has begun and we have gained an immense insight into the conflicts that spread across the land. Ciri is young and learning her way in life, and Geralt along with his trusted allies will do their utmost to protect her. Ciri is impetuous at times but has a boundless love for Geralt, Triss and Yennifer, along with all the other Witchers and characters she has encountered. Their story together has just begun, and this is an excellent book for building the story of the main characters into our hearts while showing how far the rulers of the lands will go to get their hands on Ciri.
If you would like to check out my analysis on the World of the Witcher, please follow this link here: The Witcher
While if you wish to check out my review on the first book of the Witcher series, it is available here: The Witcher: The Last Wish
Finally if you want to see what I wrote about the second book from the Witcher, it is available here: The Witcher: The Sword of Destiny
Have a great day.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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